‘PNP yet to account for Batocabe slay bounty’

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has yet to give an accounting of the P35 million reward offered for information leading to the arrest of the suspects in the killing of  Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Rodel Batocabe and his police escort last December.

Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Alfredo Garbin Jr. said the PNP should shed light on reports that only P8 million was handed over to three witnesses.

“We in Congress are bothered by reports like these. We really need to get the official accounting from them... as they have promised us,” Garbin told The STAR.

President Duterte pitched in P20 million, members of the House of Representatives contributed P13 million while the Albay provincial government gave P2 million. 

PNP officials had earlier gave assurance that they would submit an accounting of the bounty.

Garbin said Ako Bicol received reports that some of the witnesses have recanted their testimonies implicating former Daraga mayor Carlwyn Baldo.

“The money should have been given to material witnesses. Those who recanted must go back to their original testimonies,” Garbin said.

The plot to kill Batocabe was reportedly hatched  after the lawmaker announced his plan to run for mayor of Daraga. Five witnesses pointed to Baldo as the mastermind. 

Batocabe and his police escort Orlando Diaz were shot after a gift-giving event in Barangay Burgos in Daraga.

Baldo was released from jail five days after a court allowed him to post P8.7 million in surety bonds on Sept. 5.